Neuro Note #3 - Me Before You
This past weekend as I was flipping through the TV channels, I saw that the movie Me Before You was on. I had heard other classmates talking about this movie recently and knew it was an option to write a neuro note on. I saw it as a great opportunity and it didn't take me long to catch my attention. This movie is about a boy named Will who has a SCI and his caregiver, Louisa. Louisa takes on the role of Will's caregiver after losing her job at a cafe. She has no prior experience with this condition and has a tough time at first trying to care for him. Will is not exactly an easy person to care for. He has a negative attitude and makes it difficult for Louisa to connect with him. He is constantly in a bad mood and has a negative outlook on life.
Will's outlook on life after his injury is that he is useless and cannot accept the fact of not being able to live his usual active life. Louisa has a very upbeat personality, which Will's family hopes will help lift his spirits. At first, the two collide over everything and Will treats Louisa with disrespect and doesn't appreciate her help. Louisa is forced to think of other ways in which she can connect with Will. This challenge made me think of the connection to occupational therapy and the importance of being able to connect with your client. In order to form a good therapeutic relationship, an OT must be able to use their therapeutic use of self and clinical reasoning to help the client engage in occupation. It is a challenging process that forces one to think of creative ways to problem solve and connect to the client on their level.
This movie gave attention to the psychological perspective one can have after a SCI. This is often not given enough attention in today's world, but low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts are so common in people trying to adjust to life after SCI. Will's desire to end his life sounds crazy to Louisa and so she tries to stop him. In my opinion mental health after SCI is just as important as physical and functional status, if not more. OT is special in that it can work on both physical and mental health. I used to work at a community integration program where there was on site psychology counseling and a special spinal cord injury community group. I remember looking at some intake forms and one question that was always asked was have you ever had suicidal thoughts. I was shocked by how many answered yes to that question. It helped raise awareness to me early on.
I think as an OT it is especially important to focus on the client's quality of life and mental health following SCI. I've read some of the backlash of this movie that some people are offended. I think if there was more awareness of how it is to cope with life after SCI, people may not be so shocked in Will's decision. All in all, this can be a common thread in SCI, and as an OT is it critical that this is addressed. An OTs role is to help one live their life again.
Will's outlook on life after his injury is that he is useless and cannot accept the fact of not being able to live his usual active life. Louisa has a very upbeat personality, which Will's family hopes will help lift his spirits. At first, the two collide over everything and Will treats Louisa with disrespect and doesn't appreciate her help. Louisa is forced to think of other ways in which she can connect with Will. This challenge made me think of the connection to occupational therapy and the importance of being able to connect with your client. In order to form a good therapeutic relationship, an OT must be able to use their therapeutic use of self and clinical reasoning to help the client engage in occupation. It is a challenging process that forces one to think of creative ways to problem solve and connect to the client on their level.
This movie gave attention to the psychological perspective one can have after a SCI. This is often not given enough attention in today's world, but low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts are so common in people trying to adjust to life after SCI. Will's desire to end his life sounds crazy to Louisa and so she tries to stop him. In my opinion mental health after SCI is just as important as physical and functional status, if not more. OT is special in that it can work on both physical and mental health. I used to work at a community integration program where there was on site psychology counseling and a special spinal cord injury community group. I remember looking at some intake forms and one question that was always asked was have you ever had suicidal thoughts. I was shocked by how many answered yes to that question. It helped raise awareness to me early on.
I think as an OT it is especially important to focus on the client's quality of life and mental health following SCI. I've read some of the backlash of this movie that some people are offended. I think if there was more awareness of how it is to cope with life after SCI, people may not be so shocked in Will's decision. All in all, this can be a common thread in SCI, and as an OT is it critical that this is addressed. An OTs role is to help one live their life again.
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